Addi McDaniel – ‘Are You Serious’

Addi McDaniel is sending a love letter to New York City with the video for her latest single, ‘Are You Serious’. Even though she’s orginally from Florida, NYC is her adopted home town, and she’s recognised as one of the most enchanting new songwriters in the city.

Addi is the voice of WNYC’s “Best Emerging Band In New York” – the acclaimed voice-and-harp duo, Addi and Jacq. Their debut album, ‘Less Likely Places’, takes its name from a New York Craigslist ad. There’s no doubt she’s fully immersed in local culture, and the list of places she’s performed reads like a tourist guide: Carnegie Hall, Joe’s Pub, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Metropolitan Opera, Birdland, the Apollo Theater, among many other legendary stages.

‘Are You Serious’ is her take on Andrew Bird’s witty song, and could only come from a New Yorker. McDaniel emphasises the jazz and blues roots of Bird’s indie rock composition; there’s also a certain theatricality in it as well. The song would work as well in a Brooklyn club, or off-Broadway, and is one of the many stand out tracks on her album, ‘After The News’. Produced by Marco Giovino, who’s worked with the likes of Robert Plant, and Norah Jones, the spotlight is focused on the star, and her irresistible voice.

The video, directed by Nick Spanos, is four minutes long but in that short time it manages to show New York at its finest: not just bridges and skylines and crowded intersections, but also the secret places known only to locals; the public parks but also the secluded spots. It shows New York City as it is – at once dramatic, and larger-than-life, but also intimate and private.

Published by Lisa Hafey

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.
Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com
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